Jodi Borrello's new show pays tribute to New Orleans rich characters

In this week's Lagniappe section, we talked to Jodi Borrello about her new show.

See "Jodi Borrello & Friends" at Harrah's Theatre on Saturday, July 23, at 8 p.m. The show includes Borrello, Amanda Hebert and Becky Allen.

WHO SHE IS: Native New Orleanian and comedian, who has opened for Dennis Miller and currently is part of Budd Fried­mann's "The Improv, " traveling around the country.why you've heard of her: The homegrown funny woman is gaining in popularity as she now regularly appears in Las Vegas and even has been seen on CNN's "Showbiz Tonight, " NPR and The Weather Channel.

WHAT SHE'S UP TO: Working with Becky Allen and Amanda Hebert on "3 Charmers of New Orleans, " a show about the trials and tribulations of living in New Orleans, as told through some skits and stand-up comedy. Also working on a one-woman show that she hopes to produce by the end of the year.

WHERE TO SEE HER: See "Jodi Borrello & Friends" at Harrah's Theatre on Saturday at 8 p.m. The show includes Borrello, Hebert and Allen, with special guests Benny Grunch and The Bunch. Tickets are $35. For more information, visit www.harrahsneworleans.com or jodiborrello.com.

Q: What's it like working with Becky Allen and Amanda Hebert?

A: It's not work. That's the beauty of it. It's sheer fun, because we get along so well. When you see us, it is very much impromptu because we're working off of each other -- just like sitting around the kitchen table.

Q: What can folks expect from the new show at Harrah's?

A: There's always new material in the show, and what Harrah's does is give us the impetus to put on a show that I would want to see.

Q: Have you worked with Benny Grunch and the Bunch before?

A: We haven't worked with them before, but (it seemed to make sense) just in thinking of what we could do to make it be about New Orleans and also incorporate some music into the show.

Q: What was the goal in creating a show about New Orleans?

A: I just want to take people away from their lives for 90 minutes, just have fun for a while.